Introduction

The Right Dulcimer

1. Are you buying for someone else? If the dulcimer you're looking to buy is a gift for someone else, your task is even harder. Costs can range from $50 to $1500, and an average gift dulcimer will cost roughly $400. You should realise that the dulcimer you buy may not be the best suited instrument for the recipient, so check to see if the seller has either a trade-up policy or an exchange/refund policy. Trade-ups are particularly good because if the recipient really likes the instrument, they can move to a more advanced model when they're ready.

2. How much can you spend? The average learning dulcimer is a 2 1/2 octave (12/11 course) size, with an average cost between $300-$600. A smaller dulcimer may not be satisfactory for learning because of the limited note range. A larger dulcimer might be nice but pricey. If you know you love the instrument and can afford it, get the best you can at the start. Your experience while learning it will be that much greater. Saying this another way, if you cut corners on cost and get something you may be less than satisfied with, you might be discouraged early on and never learn what you (and the dulcimer) can really do.

   I'm not saying to go out and buy the most expensive dulcimer you can find, as some people would suggest. There are many makers who offer very reasonable packages under $500. If you have the opportunity to visit a music store that sells several dulcimer models, spend an afternoon there. Try out different hammer styles as well as every dulcimer in the store.

3. Can you rent one? Many stores and teachers offer loaners or rentals at reasonable rates ($15-30/month is reasonable) and some stores even allow you to put rental fees towards a purchase! Renting might be the best way to go if you are ordering a custom-made instrument from a maker and it will take several months.

   I am a strong advocate of renting before buying as this is how I started.

4. How advanced are you, musically? A standard 2 1/2 octave (12/11 or 13/12 course) dulcimer will be great for any beginner, and most learning books cater to this layout. But if you've played other instruments before and feel you're going to go into this all the way, get a 3 octave (16/15 course) model, maybe even a fully chromatic one. You won't regret it.

The Wrong Dulcimer

What can you look for in a dulcimer? Well, here are some warning signs:

• Warpage, particularly in the soundboard or length-wise across the back. Any ripple or bend in the soundboard (unless it was deliberate in the design) can cause the instrument to be out-of-tune with itself or untuneable. In extreme cases, warpage can cause an instrument to be unplayable too!

• Badly finished or rough edges. How good is the craftmanship? If it looks more like a "This End Up" piece of furniture than a precision musical instrument, there may be serious problems! Bad design or craftsmanship can result in low durability, bad tone and poor playability.

• Was the instrument made or designed by a dulcimer player? This is a key factor. If the maker doesn't know how to play a dulcimer, how do they know what it takes to make a good dulcimer?

• Weak tone or loose strings. Both affect playability and therefore your enjoyment of the instrument.

• Rusty strings. The best dulcimer wire will have a coating that inhibits rust.

• Hard to tune or won't tune. Before you buy it, can you tune it? There may be problems with warpage, wire spacing, tension, bridge placement, or pin slippage. Better to find out in the store than after you've got it home.

Recommendations

• Buy from craftsmen, not from stores. The hammer dulcimer is, in almost every respect, a true folk art. There are many independent craftsmen dedicating their lives to the instrument and are making some of the best dulcimers in the world. Support them. Not only will you get a quality instrument with personality, it will cost you less too because you're not paying middleman.

• Talk deals. If you must buy from a store, you should realise that most of the biggies (like House of Musical Traditions (HMT) and Lark in the Morning) are charging full price and then some. They're applying about a 40% markup. My first dulcimer was listed at $990 at HMT, but when Song of the Wood in North Carolina offered me the same instrument for $825, HMT said they'd match the price. Shop around. It's no sin to get the best price.

• Used dulcimers vary in quality as much as new ones do, but like most musical instruments they tend to sound better with age. If you have the opportunity to get a used instrument at a good price, seriously consider it. As a side note, cracks in the soundboard or baseboard may look unsightly but they usually have little or no bearing on tone or structural integrity. Because of the popularity of dulcimers it may be difficult to find used instruments.

• Brands to be wary of or avoid. In general, avoid any manufacturer with the name "Enterprise."
  • Rocky Mountain Enterprises (PA) - dysfunctional instruments made by non-musicians.
  • Magical Strings (WA) - Admittedly, I've only seen one of their older ones.
  • Dusty Strings (WA) - Tone quality varies by instrument, overpriced. Workmanship is good though.

• Brands or Makers I recommend:
  • Nick Blanton (MD) - The only dulcimer I own that I didn't make is one of Nick's.
  • James Jones (VA) - Reasonable price, excellent quality. I've met many happy owners.
  • Russel Cook / Masterworks (TX) - Excellent tone. Many, many satisfied owners.
  • Lost Valley Dulcimers (MI) - Linda Foley's label.

• List of other dulcimer makers worldwide.